Toilet plunger holder

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding items like a toilet plunger or a toilet brush operates easily, and may be used by anyone who can lift a toilet plunger or brush. The apparatus includes two or more cover portions. The cover portions are movably coupled to a base portion. When a plunger or brush is not present, the cover portions are in a substantially open position due to the force of gravity. When a plunger or brush is placed within the cover portions, the weight of the plunger or brush on a bottom portion of the cover portions causes the cover portions to move to a substantially closed position around the handle, thereby substantially concealing the working portion of the plunger or brush from view while leaving the handle substantially exposed.

PARENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of my earlier U.S. design patent application “Toilet Plunger Holder”, Ser. No. 29/172,037 filed on Dec. 4, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This invention generally relates to objects that open and close to retain items, and more specifically relates to a device that may be used to hold a toilet bowl plunger or brush.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Toilet bowl plungers and brushes have been used for as long as there has been toilets. Many people desire to keep a plunger or brush close to the toilet for quick and convenient use. However, a plunger or brush is typically viewed as unattractive if left unconcealed in the vicinity of a toilet. As a result, several devices have been developed to hold and conceal toilet brushes in an attractive manner. For example, the following U.S. patents all disclose known toilet brush holders: “Toilet Bowl Brush Caddy”, Des. 315,269 issued Mar. 12, 1991; “Holder for a Toilet Bowl Brush”, Des. 298,712 issued Nov. 29, 1988; and “Bathroom Brush Holder with Brush”, Des. 276,291 issued Nov. 13, 1984. Each of the devices in these three patents includes a base portion and a hinged cover that pivots away from the base to define an opening for receiving the brush. A person places the brush in the device, then applies a sideways force on the brush handle to cause the hinged cover to move to its closed position. When the brush needs to be removed from the device for use, the handle of the brush is pushed in a sideways direction to force the hinged portion open, and the brush is then removed. None of the known toilet brush devices listed above are configured to allow storage of a toilet plunger. In addition, because a sideways force on the brush handle is required to open and close the holders discussed above, these holders may skid on the floor or tip over when attempting to place the brush in the holder or when attempting to remove the brush from the holder. In addition, an elderly or handicapped person may find operation of these brush holders to be difficult and inconvenient.

[0006] What is needed is a holder that will automatically close when a brush or plunger is placed in the holder without the person having to touch the holder or apply a sideways force on the handle of the brush or plunger. Also a holder is needed that automatically releases the brush or plunger when the brush or plunger is lifted up. Further a holder is needed that will not skid or tip over during normal operation. Additionally it is desirable that the holder be easy to operate and attractive.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] According to the preferred embodiments, an apparatus for holding items like a toilet plunger or a toilet brush operates easily, and may be used by anyone who can lift a toilet plunger or brush. The apparatus includes two or more cover portions. The cover portions are movably coupled to a base portion. When a plunger or brush is not present, the cover portions are in a substantially open position due to the force of gravity. When a plunger or brush is placed within the cover portions, the weight of the plunger or brush on a bottom portion of the cover portions causes the cover portions to move to a substantially closed position around the handle, thereby substantially concealing the working portion of the plunger or brush from view while leaving the handle substantially exposed.

[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet plunger holder in an open position in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toilet plunger holder of FIG. 1 in a closed position in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional slice of the toilet plunger holder of FIG. 2 taken along the line 1-1 that illustrates the open and closed positions of the toilet plunger holder in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet plunger holder of FIG. 2 taken along the line 1-1 that illustrates the pivot mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cover portion showing a first suitable placement for the pivot device 103; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cover portion showing a second suitable placement for the pivot device 103.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to the figures, a toilet plunger holder 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiments includes a base portion 101 and one or more cover portions 102. The cover portions 102 are movably coupled to base 101. The specific configuration of base 101 shown in the drawings is a cylinder with a larger circumference at the top that provides a decorative step in the design. However, the preferred embodiments extend to any configuration of base 101 such that one or more cover portions 102 may be movably coupled to base 101. For example, base 101 could be cubic, triangular, asymmetrical, or of any irregular shape or form in design.

[0017] The specific embodiment shown in the figures includes two cover portions 102. Each cover portion 102 includes a top portion 110 and a bottom portion 120. FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional slice of plunger holder 100 along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2 with some details omitted for the sake of clarity. FIG. 4 represents a full cross-sectional view of the plunger holder 100 along the line 1-1. The specific embodiment of the cover portions 102 shown in the figures could be generally described as two cover portions that may move together or apart in clamshell fashion depending on whether the device is opening or closing. Note that the term “clamshell fashion” is a colloquial term that allows one to visualize operation of the cover portions 102. Note, however, that this term should not be limiting to any particular configuration or movable coupling for cover portions 102.

[0018] As shown in phantom in FIG. 3, the two cover portions 102 are in a substantially open position due to the force of gravity when a plunger 202 (shown in phantom in FIGS. 2 & 3) is not present in the plunger holder 100. This causes the substantially flat bottom portions 120 of the cover portions 102 to be angled upwards when in the open position, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3. When a plunger 202 is placed within the opening between cover portions 102, the working portion 220 of the plunger 202 contacts one or more bearing surfaces 122 of the cover portions 102. The weight of the plunger 202 pushes down on the bearing surfaces 122, causing the cover portions 102 to pivot to their closed position, substantially enclosing and covering the working portion 220 of the plunger 202 while leaving most of the handle 210 exposed, as shown by the solid representations of cover portions 102 in FIG. 3. The pivoting movement of cover portions 102 in FIG. 3 is represented by arrows that indicate the direction of pivot when cover portions 102 move to their substantially closed position. The specific embodiment shown in the drawings includes a notch 130 (FIG. 1) that allows the cover portions 102 to close around the handle 210 of plunger 202. Note that the bottom portion 120 of the cover portion 102 may include perforations that allow for liquid drainage into the base 101.

[0019] The upper portion 110 of the cover portions 102 does not have to be in a rounded shape. The preferred embodiments extend to any configuration that is capable of closing around the working portion of the plunger. The preferred embodiments also do not require the working portion of the plunger to be completely concealed by the cover portions. In addition, any suitable number of cover portions may be used. For example, instead of using two cover portions that each have quarter-sphere shapes as shown in the figures, four cover portions that each have eighth-sphere shapes could be used. In similar fashion, the cover portions could be arranged in a pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc. The preferred embodiments extend to any configuration of the cover portions 102 that close around the working portion 220 of a plunger 202 based upon the weight of the plunger 202, and that opens when the weight of the plunger 202 is removed.

[0020] Because the cover portions 102 of holder 100 automatically close when the plunger 202 is placed in the holder 100, placing the plunger 202 into the holder 100 and removing the plunger 202 from the holder 100 is very simple. To place the plunger 202 into the holder 100, one must simply hold the handle 210 in an upright position with the working portion 220 of the plunger down. The working portion 220 is place within the opening defined by the cover portions 102 when they are in their substantially open position (shown in FIG. 1). Once the working portion 220 is within the opening, the person can either exert a downward force on the handle 210 to cause the cover portions 102 to close around the working portion 220, or the person can simply let go of the handle 210, which causes the cover portions 102 to similarly close. This allows for storage of a toilet plunger in a bathroom in an attractive manner. When a person needs to use the plunger, the person may remove the plunger from the holder by simply grasping the handle 210 and lifting upward. The lifting force removes the weight of the plunger from the cover portions 102, causing the cover portions 102 to return to their open position due to the force of gravity. The plunger 202 can then be removed from the holder 100 by a short lifting motion. One can see from the configuration of holder 100 and from the description above that anyone who can lift a toilet plunger can use the holder 100 of the present invention. Because it is open when empty, the holder 100 stands ready to receive the plunger. All a person has to do is position the plunger above the opening defined by the cover portions 102 and move the plunger downward. When the plunger contacts the bottom portions of the cover portions 102, the cover portions 102 move to their substantially closed position, substantially concealing the working portion 220 of the plunger 202. All a person has to do to remove the plunger from the holder 100 is to lift on the handle of the plunger. This lifting action removes the weight from the cover portions, thereby causing them to open. The preferred embodiments thus provide a significant advantage over known toilet brush holders that require a sideways movement of a handle to place the brush into the holder and to remove the brush from the holder. In addition, the preferred embodiments provide a holder that is especially well-suited to holding a toilet plunger.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, the specific embodiment shown in the figures uses two pivot devices 103 for each cover portion 102 for a total of four pivot devices 103 in this specific configuration. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each pivot device 103 comprises a tab 430 and a pivot pin 432. The tab 430 is coupled to the underside of bottom surface 120, as shown in FIG. 4. The pivot pin 432 extends horizontally from tab 430. The pivot pins 432 extend into the pivot pin guides 146, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and are smaller in diameter than the pivot pin guides 146 to allow the pivot pins 432 to rotate easily within the pivot pin guides 146. Pivot pin guides 146 are preferably circular holes that extends through the side of base 101. However, the preferred embodiments extend to any shape of pivot pin guide 146 that allows pivoting of cover portions 102. For example, instead of a hole the pivot pin guide 146 may consist of an arc cut into the base portion 101. In that alternative embodiment the cover portions may rotate and slide open and closed. Such a design would allow the cover portions 102 to be moved either closer together or farther apart as compared to the either open or closed position. The preferred embodiments extend any number and any location of pivot pin guides 146 depending on the number and shape of the cover portions 102.

[0022] The preferred embodiments extend to mounting a pivot pin directly on the outside surface of the cover portions 102 without using a tab. The preferred embodiments also extend to any form of pivot device 103 will allow a cover portion 102 to pivot. The preferred embodiments also extend to any design of the pivot pin 422 or pivot device 103 necessary to support the weight of a cover portion 102. One example would be the use of a pivot rod that runs the width of the one or more cover portions 102.

[0023] The preferred embodiments extend to any location of the pivot device 103 that facilitates the opening and closing of the cover portions 102. Two examples of suitable locations for the pivot devices 103 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, the pivot device 103 is located close to the edge of the bottom portion 120. In FIG. 6, the pivot device 103 is located closer to the center of bottom portion 120. In the configuration of FIG. 5, more weight would be required to cause the cover portion 102 to close, while less weight would be required for the configuration of FIG. 6. The configuration of FIG. 5 could thus be used for a toilet plunger holder, while the configuration of FIG. 6 could be used for a toilet brush holder. The preferred embodiments expressly extend to any location for any suitable pivot device or other movable coupling between the cover portion 102 and the base 101, so long as the cover portion is in a substantially open position due to the force of gravity when the item to be contained is not present, and where the weight of the item to be contained is sufficient to cause the cover portion 102 to move to its substantially closed position.

[0024] In the specific embodiment shown in the figures, the plunger holder 100 has a smooth, finished surface. However, the preferred embodiments extend to any suitable finish or surface for plunger holder 100 to provide the desired function and decorative effect.

[0025] Toilet plunger holder 100 may be made of any suitable material. Plastic is the preferred material due to its light weight, durability, and low cost. Suitable plastics include polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and polyvinyl chloride. However, the preferred embodiments extend to any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the pivot pin 432 could be constructed of metal with the rest of the plunger holder 100 made of a ceramic material.

[0026] One skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Thus, while the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the preferred embodiments herein discuss an apparatus or device that contains a toilet plunger or toilet brush, the preferred embodiments expressly extend to an apparatus or device for containing any type of item, where the apparatus or device includes a base portion with two or more cover portions that are in a substantially open position under force of gravity when the item to be contained is not present, and that close to a substantially closed position around the item due to the weight of the item when the item is placed in the apparatus or device. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for containing an item, the apparatus comprising: a base; and at least two cover portions movably coupled to the base, wherein the cover portions are in a substantially open position due to the force of gravity when the apparatus does not contain the item, and wherein the cover portions move to a substantially closed position due to the weight of the item on the cover portions to substantially cover the item.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the item comprises a toilet plunger.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the item comprises a toilet brush.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least two cover portions comprise two cover portions that move in clamshell fashion with respect to each other.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the cover portions is pivotally coupled to the base.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each cover portion includes a notch for receiving a handle of the item.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover portions each comprise a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is substantially flat, the bottom portion being disposed at an angle with respect to horizontal when the cover portion is in the substantially open position, the bottom portion being disposed substantially horizontal when the cover portion is in the substantially closed position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the bottom portion of each cover portion includes at least one bearing surface that the item contacts when the item is placed within an opening defined by the at least two cover portions in the substantially open position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the weight of the item on the at least one bearing surface causes each cover portion to move to the substantially closed position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each cover portion includes at least one pivot pin and wherein the base includes a plurality of pivot pin guides that each receive one of the pivot pins.
 11. A device for holding an item such as a toilet plunger or toilet brush, the device comprising: (A) a substantially cylindrical base portion comprising at least one pivot pin guide; (B) two cover portions each comprising; an upper portion; and a lower portion comprising at least one pivot pin that engages the at least one pivot pin guide, wherein the location of the pivot pin on the lower portion causes each upper portion to be in a substantially open position under force of gravity when the device does not contain the item, thereby creating an opening between the two cover portions in the substantially open position, the lower portion including a bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface is contacted by the item placed within the opening between the two cover portions, the weight of the item causing the two cover portions to pivot towards each other to a substantially closed position that substantially covers the item.
 12. A toilet plunger holder comprising: (A) a substantially cylindrical base portion comprising four pivot pin guides; (B) two cover portions each comprising; an upper portion; and a lower portion comprising two pivot pins that engage corresponding pivot pin guides, wherein the location of the pivot pin on the lower portion causes each upper portion to be in a substantially open position under force of gravity when the holder does not contain the toilet plunger, thereby creating an opening between the two cover portions in the substantially open position, the lower portion including a bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface is contacted by a working portion of the toilet plunger placed within the opening between the two cover portions, the weight of the toilet plunger causing the two cover portions to pivot towards each other to a substantially closed position that substantially covers the working portion of the toilet plunger. 